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September 16, 2019
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Hi everyone, I recently was offered a 86 rifle in 45-70 , serial no. 28793, thus made in 1889.
Beautiful thing, but what confuses me is the fact, that it features a buckhorn rear sight. I thought these were not found on the 45-70.
Can’t post a pic right now but I will try to get one soon…
Does anybody know more about the correct sights etc. ?
The rifle though standard straight stock with oct barrel seems to feature fancy wood since the stock is marked with xx somewhere under the metal… (could not confirm it but thats what the owner told me)…
Thanks a lot, guys , best regards,
Felix
April 15, 2005
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I am relatively certain that the standard rear sight was a Rocky Mountain sporting (buckhorn) sight on the standard Model 1886 Sporting rifle.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
August 14, 2021
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I agree with Bert, my first year production 1886 in 45-70 has a buckhorn.
April 15, 2005
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I will add that the early Model 1886 rifles are also found with a “Sporting Leaf” rear sight that resembles a Carbine ladder sight but are longer in length.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
March 31, 2009
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I have 2 86’s and they both have the buckhorn sight. I had one that had the ladder sight.
September 22, 2011
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Bert H. said
I will add that the early Model 1886 rifles are also found with a “Sporting Leaf” rear sight that resembles a Carbine ladder sight but are longer in length.Bert
And they are sometimes marked “1876” as they were manufactured originally for the Model 1876 rifle.
September 16, 2019
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Bert H. said
I will add that the early Model 1886 rifles are also found with a “Sporting Leaf” rear sight that resembles a Carbine ladder sight but are longer in length.Bert
Yes , exactly! It is also mentioned as standard for the 45-70 in contemporary catalogues around 1888. So I was wondering, if it is original or maybe a custom order….
August 14, 2021
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If you stated it was listed as standard in contemporary catalogs in 1888 and your rifle was made in 1889 why would you think it was a custom order?
December 9, 2002
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Felix,
I can agree with the above comments on the rear sight. First thing that comes to my mind is that an incorrect rear sight, never stopped me from buying a model 1886.
With that being said, I re read you’re post, after reading what Steven stated above, and if there’s a chance that you’re rifle is a special ordered rifle, due to the wood being, “XX”, I wouldn’t simply trust the owners, word, but a further inspection, of the tang being stamped with the marks that he states under the wood, would help to clarify this.
Pictures would help, but a call to Jessica at Cody, and her and or her staff taking a look into the records and or a worksheet on the rifle could help explain things.
Anthony
